‘Le God’ returns to old stomping ground
THIRTY-ODD years ago a youthful Matt Le Tissier was banging in goals at the Corbet Field for fun.
There was more than 100 one glorious season before he headed off to Southampton and now, all these years later, he treads the Vale Rec home field turf again as tomorrow evening he makes his Guernsey senior debut playing for the Over 50s against their Jersey counterparts.
Hopes that Graeme Le Saux might turn out for the visiting Reds have not proved positive, but match organisers hope that the presence of ‘Le God’ in Muratti colours – albeit at veteran level – will draw a crowd as they target a £4-5k donation towards their charity, Guernsey Cheshire Homes.
With tongue firmly in one cheek, player-organiser Paul Ockleford quite likes the look of his new No. 7.
‘He’s pretty handy and our penalty strategy is that we will name him five times if it goes to penalties.
‘It would be nice for everyone involved to get time on the pitch with him.’ he added.
The former England star is hoping to play as much as his 50-year-old body allows and his presence has caused a buzz in the Guernsey squad.
‘We’ve had to have trials because so many wanted to play with Matt. Some good players have been left out,’ said Ockleford.
‘He has put a massive effort in already and he is also going to visit the Cheshire Home beforehand.’
‘Matt will play as long as he is physically able,’ added Guernsey coach for the night Phil Corbet, who has several other new faces in the squad which impress him.
Those players are goalkeeper John Bruley and defender Chris Welsby, both of whom have played high-level football in the UK, and former North Upton winner Danny Le Prevost.
Jersey, who lost last year’s inaugural game at Springfield 3-2, have several former Island stars in their line-up, including Dougie Ross, Tony Salaun, Peter Grierson and Jerry O’Shea.
The game kicks off at 6.15pm.
SQUADS
Guernsey – Cameron Ingrouiille, John Bruley, Paul Philp, Matt Le Tissier, Rob Jones, Neil Fitchet, Jules Cauvain, Darren Cooley, Mike de la Haye, Paul Ockleford, Stuart Coburn, Robbie Dover, Steve Hutchison, Danny Le Prevost, Kevin Burgess, Lee Manning, Chris Welsby, Matt Hutchison and Mark Harrison.
Jersey – Barry Freeman, Steve Martin, Mike McKinley, Peter Grierson, Tony Le Var, Paul Cauvain, Tommy Hughes, Dougie Ross, John Welsh, Jim McClachan, Danny Moisan, Colin Cowey, Stephen Neild, Tony Salaun, Clive Richardson and Jerry O’Shea.
